Law Increases Veterans' Disability 1.5%

COLUMBUS, GA. — President Reagan, before a gathering of veterans, signed legislation Tuesday improving benefits and health care for certain former members of the armed forces.

The bill allows for a 1.5 percent cost-of-living boost in Veterans Administration disability and survivors' benefits effective Dec. 1 to veterans with service-related disabilities, their widows and children.

-- Extends authority for medical care to U.S. veterans of the Philippines. -- Requires the VA to establish a registry for veterans exposed to radiation, including medical data, claims and estimated exposure doses.

-- Permits correspondence courses for people training under the new GI bill.

-- Prohibits discrimination in initial employment against members of the military reserves and National Guard.